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Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's more general malaise.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. As the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against Manchester United.

His opener came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.